Meindl Comfort Fit: Extreme or Hunter?

[kaikens]

Hello Everyone,

I am choosing between Meindl Comfort Fit Hunters and Extremes for a first rifle elk hunt in Colorado. It’s my first western hunt, and I’ll be hunting in a unit that is on the steeper end – at least that’s what I understand. I’ve tried many boots, and the Extremes fit me the best when paired with Superfeet Hike Support insoles. There are some downsides to them:

• Heavier: 2 lbs. 10 oz. per boot (measured), in my size. They do feel clunkier compared to others, even though the weight difference is only a handful of ozs.
• Maybe taller than I need: 11 in., which is about an inch from the top of my socks
• The soles seem less stiff than other options I’ve tried. Maybe this partially has to do with the EVA midsole it uses?
• They seem to flex a fair bit in the rand on the sides of my feet: This is very different from other boots I have tried (Kenetrek, Crispi, Hoffman), and it gives me slight concerns that I’ll get rand separation (I have seen this in some reviews). I’m probably overthinking it.
• More expensive: I know, spend the money on good boots and save elsewhere. I can get some Hunters for $130 less, however (very slightly used).

The Hunters, in comparison:

• I have generally liked the taller boots that I’ve tried on (most have been ~10”), but I’ve never hunted out west, so I don’t really know what I prefer. 9.25” with the Hunters compared to 11” for the Extremes. I do not have weak ankles, however, so I’m guessing 9.25” should be sufficient. And I have good gaiters.
• Likely stiffer in the midsole with polyurethane instead of EVA on the Extremes.
• Not a full rand, although consensus seems to be that isn’t a major concern.

I guess my implicit assumption is that both will fit well given that they use the same last, and I would use the Superfeet insole in either. I do not know this to be true, however, as I haven’t purchased / tried the Hunters.

What are your thoughts? Thank you all! I appreciate it.

 

[LostArra]

Disclaimer: we all agree that boots are a personal preference thing.

I'm a Meindl fan. I hunt elk every year in Wyoming and wear the Comfort Fit Hikers. I occasionally do wear gators if it's wet or snowy. Sometimes I wear those tight mini-gators if I'm in sage brush just to keep my laces tied. The Hikers have been great boots for me. I don't even think about my feet when hunting. They have just the right amount of support and sole stiffness. (equal support to some previous Lowa Tibets but with a little less stiffness and less weigh. Tibets were nice but more clunky)

My philosophy is I wear the minimal boot for the hunt environment. If the Hikers didn't work I would have stepped up to the Hunters but that has not been the case. Both the Hunters and the Extremes would be solving a problem I don't have.

Partial rand is a non-issue.

I am an absolute insole snob and usually immediately trash any factory sole and replace with some version of Super Feet. Meindl has been the exception. Their cork soles have been extremely comfortable and when they are worn out I will replace them with the original Meindl. Also, this is just personal preference.

Sizing. Be sure to follow their sizing instructions because it is likely you won't wear your typical size. I spoke to them on the phone and they were very helpful making sure I got what I needed.

I hope that helps a little. Reading your post I would save the $130 if the Hunters fit you well.

 

[huntabsarokee]

I have a few pairs of different Meindl and if you go with the Hunters probably don't need the insulated version in 1st season. As per their website they definitely run a little large. I usually buy 10.5 in most boots like Schnees but my Meindl are all 10.0 and I still need to make sure to wear thicker socks with them. In archery season even late September I also just wear the hikers.

 

[kaikens]

Thank you both! I am planning on getting uninsulated boots, no matter what I end up with. And yes, my Brannock size is 11.5 wide, and that's exactly what fits in the Meindl's, with my liner socks and medium weight merino socks. In all the other boots I've tried, a 12 wide has been what I needed -- the Meindl's run a touch large.

I am an absolute insole snob and usually immediately trash any factory sole and replace with some version of Super Feet. Meindl has been the exception. Their cork soles have been extremely comfortable and when they are worn out I will replace them with the original Meindl. Also, this is just personal preference.

The cork insoles in the Extremes have been okay for me, but not great. I think they would be perfect if not for a subtle bump right in the middle of my arch. You can kind of see it in the attached image. Is there a break in period with the cork insoles for you?

 

[LostArra]

The bump just felt right to me but if it doesn't just go with the Super feet. I swapped them out at first but ended up staying with the cork in all of my Meindl's.

In one pair of Meindl's the insole didn't feel just right. It ended up being a different size than the boot which was strange. They sent me the right size immediately.